Highlander (1986)
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A Scottish Highlander who discovers he is immortal must confront his ultimate rival in contemporary New York.
The story
In 1985 New York, Connor MacLeod, a Scottish Highlander who has lived for centuries, encounters an old enemy in a parking garage. After a fierce sword duel, he is detained by the NYPD but lacks sufficient evidence for a conviction. His history is revealed through flashbacks to the 16th century, where he was forced into a life of solitude after being accused of witchcraft. Now, as a man living under an alias, he must navigate the modern world while preparing for a looming confrontation with a powerful and ruthless immortal known as the Kurgan, who seeks to claim a prize that only one can hold.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1985 New York, Connor MacLeod, a Scottish Highlander who has lived for centuries, encounters an old enemy, Iman Fasil, in a parking garage. After a duel, he is detained by the NYPD but released due to lack of evidence. Flashbacks reveal his life in the 16th century, where he was forced into exile after being accused of witchcraft. He was mentored by Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, who taught him about 'Immortals' and the 'quickening.' For centuries, Connor lived in hiding, until the 'Gathering' approached. In modern New York, he works as an antique dealer while being hunted by the Kurgan, a brutal immortal seeking to be the last one remaining. The Kurgan also targets other immortals, such as Sunda Kastagir. A forensic scientist, Brenda Wyatt, begins to investigate the string of beheadings and discovers Connor's true identity. After a period of intimacy with Brenda, the Kurgan kidnaps her to lure Connor out. Connor confronts the Kurgan at Silvercup Studios, defeats him, and absorbs his power. He then returns to Scotland with Brenda, becoming a mortal man who can age and have children, while gaining the ability to sense the feelings of all people around the world.
- First release year
- 1986
- Runtime (minutes)
- 111
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Russell Mulcahy
- Writers
- Gregory Widen · screenplay; Peter Bellwood · screenplay; Larry Ferguson · screenplay; Gregory Widen · story
- Cast and characters
- Christopher Lambert · Connor MacLeod; Roxanne Hart · Brenda Wyatt; Clancy Brown · The Kurgan; Sean Connery · Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez; Beatie Edney · Heather MacLeod; Alan North · Lt. Frank Moran; Jon Polito · Det. Walter Bedsoe; Sheila Gish · Rachel Ellenstein
- Genres
- fantasy; action; adventure
- Themes
- immortality; loneliness
- Tone and mood
- moody; action-packed
- Setting
- 16th-century Scottish Highlands and 1985 New York City.
- Premise and plot tags
- fantasy; action; adventure; sword-fighting
- Franchise connections
- Highlander
- Reception
- The film was a commercial failure on its initial theatrical release but became a cult film and inspired several sequels and television spin-offs.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 24 · scale: 100 · review count: 7
- Production trivia
- The film's soundtrack featured several songs by the rock band Queen.; The tagline 'There can be only one' has entered pop culture.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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